Rose Sajkowski, 86

Family PhotoRose Sajkowski, 2005STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Rose Sajkowski, 86, of Englishtown, N.J., a former Staten Island resident who was the borough’s first female cab driver, died Friday at home.

Born in West Brighton Rose Gagliardo, she moved to Englishtown in 1990.

Mrs. Sajkowski worked for the former Port Richmond Car Service for 16 years as a cab driver. According to her family, she was the first woman cab driver on Staten Island. She retired in 1978.

“Being a cabdriver was her pride and joy,” said her son, Vincent Jr.

Mrs. Sajkowski loved spending time with her friends at the Marlboro Greens Condo Association, where she had lived for 20 years. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and making lasagna for her family.

Her husband of 43 years, Vincent Sajkowski Sr., died in 1985.

In addition to her son, Vincent Jr., surviving are her daughter, Linda Schiano; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Bronson & Guthlein Funeral Home, Milltown, N.J., with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, also in Milltown. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Brighton.